Clock tattoos, by their very nature, are linked closely with the bearer’s personal relationship with the passage of time, or remembering a specific moment in their lives. A clock that is shown to be distorted and melting emphasizes that although seconds will always tick on, time itself is less important that what is done with it.

Imagery made popular by Salvador Dali, the melting clock has found resonance with a large amount of people.

This sneer in the face of the rigidity of time shows an admirable rebellion against letting life be ruled by traditional ideas of what should happen, and when.

Many who choose to ink melting clocks on their body do so as a reminder, either to themselves or to others, not to let imaginary deadlines get in the way. They impart the idea that dreams don’t have an expiration date. Though it may seem too late for a particular goal, there is no one actually keeping time.

This is an incredible sentiment that resonates with a lot of people. The melting clock is also a beautiful design, with its curved lines and jumbled numbers. Similar to a broken clock, or one without hands, the melting clock image is overwhelmingly favored by those who answer to no one but themselves.

These melting clock tattoos show the beauty and variety of following no timetable but your own.